The majority of fruits and vegetables purchased at your local store contain some degree of various types of pesticides. Farmers and growers use these chemicals to enable them to produce near-perfect fruits and vegetables in mass quantities, free of insects, bacteria, mold and rodents. However, these artificial chemicals pose health risks to humans, especially young children. Neurological and gastrointestinal problems, as well as problems in the endocrine and hormonal systems have been linked to pesticides, and more studies are being done to understand their full impact on the body. Learning how to rid your produce of pesticide residue is vital to a healthful diet and a healthy body.